Reds News: Graham Ashcraft injury update, Carson Spiers rehab, Arizona Fall League affiliate

The Cincinnati Reds couldn't get off the schneid on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. Chase Burns failed to go five innings for the first time all season, and the Reds' lineup failed to score a run. The Cincinnati bullpen was called upon to rescue Burns after just 3⅔ innings, and the trio of Sam Moll, Julian Garcia, and Emilo Pagán allowed just one hit over 4⅓ innings of work.

Reds relievers have shown flashes through the season, and after a tough stretch in May and June, they seem to have turned a corner. Since July 1, the Reds' bullpen has a 3.92 ERA and 4.01 FIP. Their 1.7 fWAR during that span ranks ninth among all Major League bullpens.

Tony Santillan recently rejoined his mates after spending nearly two months on the injured list with an oblique injury. Now it sounds like another high-leverage reliever could join the club in the coming days. Graham Ashcraft is likely to begin a rehab assignment this week.

Reds News: Graham Ashcraft scheduled to begin a rehab assignment

Ashcraft is working his way back from a UCL sprain. The right-hander has been sidelined since May 29, and while his return to the active roster was questioned at various points along the way, he has been throwing live batting practice for the better part of a week.

Recently, Ashcraft moved his rehab to Triple-A, and according to MLB.com beat writer Mark Sheldon, he's scheduled to pitch three times this week with what may be his final rehab outing coming on August 30 for the Louisville Bats.

The Reds bullpen, despite the recent surge, could certainly use Ashcraft's presence on the backend. Until Santillan returned last week, Pagán and Brock Burke had been holding down the fort during the latter innings. It'll be good to get Ashcraft back in the fold, which could happen as soon as next week if his rehab goes as planned.

Reds News: Carson Spiers returns to the mound after Tommy John surgery

Carson Spiers hasn't seen a Major League mound since a right shoulder impingement sidelined him in April of 2025. Spiers underwent Tommy John surgery last year and was removed from the 40-man roster. But the move itself was more procedural than anything else. The Reds and Spiers knew he had a long road of recovery ahead, and didn't want to waste a 40-man roster spot.

Spiers has been working his way back all season, and began a rehab assignment with the Dayton Dragons last week. Spiers logged 3⅔ innings, allowing two runs on three hits, including a home run. He also walked one batter, but struck out four during his first on-field action in nearly 17 months.

Don't expect Spiers to rejoin the big-league roster at any point this season, but the Reds would undoubtedly love to have his arm as part of the organization heading into the 2026-27 offseason. Look for Spiers to continue his rehab in the minor leagues for the remainder of this season, and sign a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training sometime this winter.

Reds News: Cincy names Arizona Fall League affiliate

The Arizona Fall League won't begin until October, but those players whom the Reds send out west now know what team they'll be playing for. This year's AFL participants will be part of the Peoria Javelinas. The complex acts as the shared spring training home for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.

Several Reds prospects will be joined by members of the Padres, Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles organizations. Last year, Reds prospects like Alfredo Duno, Cam Collier, and Leo Balcazar all participated in the AFL. It's long since been a proving ground for future Major League players, so it'll be interesting to see who Cincinnati sends out to Peoria this fall.

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